By REGINA T. AQUINO
DARRYL Shy, the 44-year-old contender for the “The Voice of the Philippines,” never stood out for possessing a vocal range that can hit heavens-high notes. But on the vast, grandiose stage of Resorts World Manila, he made a mark with his folk, soulful tone and exceptional guitar skills (and yes, with his bushy beard and regularly donned black bucket hat, too).
Although he did not bag the title, the exposure was enough to make the Baguio-based singer a popular name in the Philippine music scene.
Last Aug. 26, Shy performed on a smaller, simpler stage. When his fellow celebrities and artists left right after the anti-pork barrel rally “Million People March” ended, Shy followed the protesters who proceeded to Mendiola. There he sang Buklod’s “Tatsulok” and Asin’s “Balita” from a truck. Alongside chants, speeches and effigies, his music expressed the people’s rage and pleas.
Shy is not new to performing in mobilizations. He has participated in rallies in Baguio organized by progressive groups like the League of Filipino Students and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan. He has also mixed and recorded albums for progressive artists like Joey Ayala and Asin. Although he chooses to remain in the middle of the political spectrum, he does not fail to see the power of music to drive social change.
“It’s hard to explain (the power of music) in words. It has to be felt,” he said. “Music gives a whole new dimension to people’s protests. When words are lacking, you can still express yourself through the subtleties and dynamics of music.”
Engaging himself in artistic activism is not the only way Shy goes against the flow. Being an artist, deviance is second nature to him. Luckily for him, his manager and wife, Ann Angala-Shy, sticks to his side each time he takes roads less traveled.
Picking Kenny Loggins’ “Danny’s Song” for his first Live Show performance on The Voice was one of those unpopular choices he made. Until the last minute, he and his wife had difficulty in getting friends and fans to agree with his song choice.
“So many were against him singing that song,” Mrs. Shy said. “First, they said it was not fit for a competition. Second, the song was too old. We had a hard time justifying ‘Danny’s Song,’ when in fact it landed Darryl on top of the polls.”
The lesson Shy learned from that experience: “Those who claim that they know are those who really don’t know at all.”
Another instance: Early in his married life, Shy decided to leave his job as IT senior manager of Destiny Cable. Corporate work and office politics took him away from his music, and he missed it. He wanted to go back to Baguio and practice his art once again. Surprisingly, his wife had no difficulty accepting his decision.
Mrs. Shy said: “I see no point in staying somewhere you are not happy. Darryl is a musician before anything else. He may have earned so much here, but then he’s not happy. So why wouldn’t I choose Baguio?”
So go back to Baguio he did. The cool, breathtaking City of Pines was really close to his heart. Performing nightly in its local bars while pursuing a degree in Information Science, it was where he had flourished as an artist during his college days. It was also where he met his wife.
That’s why it pained him to see the city’s environment being slowly destroyed. He actively participated in protest actions organized by Save 182 Movement, an environmental group against SM City Baguio’s cutting of Benguet pine trees.
When he moved back to Manila for The Voice, he was welcomed by the pork barrel scam issue. While busy preparing for the tilt, he managed to join in all major anti-pork rallies: Million People March in both Luneta and Ayala, EDSA Tayo, Rock and Rage Against Pork, and Level Up: Never PORKget.
In light of the tragedy caused by super typhoon “Yolanda” (“Haiyan”) in the Visayas islands, he also performed at “Tulong na, Tabang na, Tayo na,” a benefit concert spearheaded by ABS-CBN.
Shy does not use his music to passionately fight for these causes for nothing.
“(Through music) you have to tell people (to act for change). That’s what motivates me to sing socially relevant songs. It’s my way of helping people,” he said.
“And so that I can run for senator,” he guffawed at his own joke.
Mrs. Shy added, “It’s also for our kids, since they’re part of the future generation. If we don’t care about these issues, what will happen to our children after five, 10 years?”
After he was given a chance to be heard, the indie artist said it’s high time he gives back. He will see to it that his fame and talent benefit a larger part of the society. Aside from popularized alternative songs, he said people could expect him to perform socially relevant songs he penned himself.
He said, “I’m still thinking how I can inspire change through music in a pop way. But definitely, I have plans to write songs about social change. Di ko siya bibitawan (I won’t let that go).”
(The writer is a journalism student at the University of the Philippines-Diliman who submitted this story to her Journ 101–Introduction to Journalism–class under VERA Files trustee Yvonne T. Chua.)
